Accessory module system for a vehicle window

ABSTRACT

The present invention is concerned with an accessory module system for a vehicle, the system comprising an accessory module assembly for location against an interior of a vehicle windscreen and which defines a plurality of sites for the modular location of one or more electronic accessories or the like, in particular for communicating with and/or through the vehicle windscreen, the accessory module system also including a cover assembly for location between the windscreen and a rigid frame assembly forming part of the accessory module assembly, the cover assembly being resiliently deformable in order to be capable of closely conforming to the shape of the windscreen.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is concerned with an accessory module system for avehicle window, in particular for housing a plurality of electronicaccessories which can communicate with and/or through a windscreen ofthe vehicle. The system may also house accessories associated with, forexample, the environmental control of the vehicle cabin, thecommunication of information to the driver/passenger by means of adigital display or the like, or a communications system such as a handsfree phone. The system is also preferably adapted for the modularlocation of accessories therein, in order to allow variations inspecification or luxury level.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certain accessories of a vehicle, such as a rain sensor assembly orimaging sensor assembly, typically are mounted tight against an interiorsurface of a windshield or window. This is required in some cases tomaintain a desired distance between a light emitter/light sensor and theinterior surface of the windshield, and/or to optically or thermallycouple the component to the windshield, and/or to substantially seal thecomponent at the windshield to prevent dust, dirt, smoke or othercontaminants from affecting the component. However, as a result of thisrequirement, the accessory module assembly must be sufficiently rigid toapply and maintain a suitable force to the various components in orderto maintain the components or accessories in intimate contact with thewindscreen. As a result, the module assembly has little or noresilience, and is thus not generally capable of slight deformations toclosely follow the contour of the windscreen.

It is also desired to provide a blacked out area or ceramic frit regionin areas where such accessories are mounted at the windshield, in orderto enhance the appearance of the vehicle. Therefore, an aperture or portmay have to be formed in the frit layer for the camera or image sensorto be aligned with. However, the frit layer then may include the port oraperture even for vehicles where the camera-based or other accessory isnot selected as an option. In order to provide an appropriate frit layerfor the camera-based accessory option, the vehicle manufacturer may needto plan or design different frit layers for different options availableto the vehicle, which may result in a proliferation of windshields andpart numbers for the different optional accessories.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is intended to provide an accessory moduleassembly which overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art assemblies.

The present invention therefore provides, according to a first aspect,an accessory module system for a vehicle window comprising; an accessorymodule assembly comprising a frame assembly defining a plurality ofsites for the modular location of accessories within the frame assembly;the accessory module assembly further comprising a cover assemblydetachably connectable to the frame assembly.

Preferably, the cover assembly is resiliently mounted to the frameassembly such that the cover assembly is urged, in use, against thevehicle window.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided anaccessory module system for a vehicle window comprising; an accessorymodule assembly comprising a substantially rigid frame assembly for theconnection of one or more accessories thereto; the accessory moduleassembly further comprising a resiliently deformable cover assemblydetachably connectable to the frame assembly such that the coverassembly is capable of deforming to conform to the shape of the vehiclewindow.

Preferably, the frame assembly defines a plurality of sites for themodular location of the accessories within the frame assembly.

Preferably, at least one of the sites comprises a connector assemblyconfigured to provide the simultaneous mechanical and electricalconnection of a corresponding accessory to the accessory moduleassembly.

Preferably, the system comprises an electrical terminal having a singlepower and/or control input and a plurality of power and/or controloutputs.

Preferably, at least one of the sites comprises a cradle for receivingand supporting one of the accessories therein.

Preferably, the system comprises a mirror assembly detachablyconnectable to the accessory module assembly.

Preferably, the mirror assembly is in electrical communication with theaccessory module assembly.

Preferably, the cover assembly comprises at least one aperture to enablea corresponding accessory to communicate with and/or through the vehiclewindow.

Preferably, the system comprises an attachment member for affixing tothe vehicle window, the frame assembly comprising a correspondingmounting portion configured for releasable engagement with and/or aboutthe attachment member.

Preferably, the attachment member comprises two or more discrete fixingelements.

Preferably, the system comprises a vehicle window comprising a frithaving at least one aperture corresponding substantially in shape andorientation to the at least one aperture in the cover assembly.

1 Preferably, the system comprises ventilation means to facilitatecooling of the accessory module assembly.

Preferably, the ventilation means comprises a plurality of ventilationopenings in the accessory module assembly.

Preferably, the cover assembly comprises a material having a heatdeflection temperature of at least 75° C., preferably at least 85° C.,and most preferably at least 105° C.

Preferably, the system comprises a plurality of accessories.

Preferably, the accessories comprise one or more of a closing velocitysensor assembly, a rain sensor assembly, a window temperature sensorassembly, a camera assembly, a compass assembly, a communicationsassembly, a light sensor assembly, a humidity sensor assembly, and adisplay assembly.

Preferably, the closing velocity sensor assembly comprises a LIDARsensor assembly.

Preferably, at least one of the sites comprises means for adjusting theposition of an accessory locatable within the site.

As used herein, the term “site” is intended to mean a location or areawhich is adapted, whether by having a complementary shape or otherwise,to receive an accessory or component therein or thereabout.

As used herein, the term “communications assembly” is intended to meanany assembly or accessory which is capable of either communicatinginformation to the driver/passenger, or which allows thedriver/passenger to communicate information to one or more of thevehicles systems or to an outside source using for example telephony.

The present invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which;

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an accessory module assemblyand a mirror assembly forming part of an accessory module systemaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view from the reverse side of FIG. 1,in which an outer casing of the accessory module assembly has beenremoved to reveal the internal accessories thereof;

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectioned side view of the accessory moduleassembly and mirror module assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a partially exploded view of the accessory moduleassembly, in which a cover assembly is separated therefrom, and in whichthe internal accessories have been omitted for clarity;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view, from behind, of a camera assemblylocated within the accessory module assembly, showing one method ofsecuring the cover assembly to the frame assembly; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the accessory module assemblyand mirror assembly forming the accessory module system, in which a pairof gaskets are provided on the cover assembly.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings there is illustrated anaccessory module system, generally indicated as 10, for mounting againsta vehicle window (not shown) in particular a windscreen of a vehicle, aswill be described in more detail hereinafter. The system 10 comprises anaccessory module assembly 12 and, in the preferred embodimentillustrated, a mirror assembly 14 detachably connected to the moduleassembly 12 in substantially conventional fashion. It will however beappreciated from the following description that the mirror assembly 14does not form an essential element of the invention, and the system 10could be provided without the mirror assembly 14. The module assembly 12could be designed to be seated against or partially surrounding anexisting mirror assembly mounted directly to the vehicle windscreen.When included, the mirror assembly 14 may be of any conventional form,and preferably has a front opening (not shown) which is normally closedby a reflective element (also not shown). The reflective element maycomprise an electro-optic cell (such as an electrochromic mirrorelement) so that the reflectivity of the mirror assembly 14 can beelectrically varied according to prevailing conditions. The constructionand operation of the mirror assembly 14 is well known to those skilledin the art, and no further details are therefore deemed necessary.

The accessory module assembly 12 comprises a frame assembly 16containing, as will be described in detail hereinafter, a plurality ofaccessories in the form of electronic components for taking variousmeasurements/readings and/or for controlling various functions of thevehicle to which the system 10 is fitted. The accessory module assembly12 further comprises a cover assembly 18 detachably connected to theframe assembly 16, and located in use between the frame assembly 16 andthe windscreen (not shown) of the vehicle. The cover assembly 18performs a number of functions, primarily to shield from view thevarious components or accessories contained within the accessory moduleassembly 12, when viewed from an exterior of the vehicle. In addition,the cover assembly 18 closely conforms to the shape of the windscreen inorder to provide an aesthetically pleasing fit between the accessorymodule assembly 12 and the windscreen, while also substantiallypreventing the ingress of contaminants between the windscreen and thecover assembly 18, which might otherwise adversely affect the operationof one or more of the accessories which communication with and/orthrough the windscreen. These functions, and others, will be describedin greater detail hereinafter.

The accessory module assembly 12 may be mounted against the windscreenby any suitable means, for example using an adhesive or the like.However, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, the system 10comprises an attachment member comprising three discrete fixing elementsin the form of rails 20 which in use are mounted to the vehiclewindscreen by an adhesive or the like. There could of course be more orless rails 20 if desired or required. The frame assembly 16 comprises amounting portion in the form of three correspondingly positionedrecesses 22 for receiving the rails 20, the frame assembly 16 and rails20 preferably having co-operating retention means (not shown) such asclips or the like, in order to secure the frame assembly 16 to the rails20, and therefore the vehicle windscreen. Alternatively a screw (notshown) or similar fastener element may be passed through the frameassembly 16 and into the respective rail 20. In order to simplify theprocess of fitting the rails 20 to the windscreen, and to eliminate thepossibility of inaccurate spacing between each of the three rails 20,the rails 20 are preferably initially located within a frame or jig (notshown) which accurately positions the rails 20 with respect to oneanother. The frame or jig can then be positioned against the windscreenin order to simultaneously position each of the rails 20, at the correctpositions, in contact with the windscreen, to be suitably secured inplace, preferably by means of a suitable adhesive.

Alternatively, the rails 20 could be formed integrally with such a frameor jig, which could then, with the rails 20 fixed to the windscreen,form a permanent sub-frame of the accessory module assembly 12. Thisarrangement greatly improves the tolerances achievable, while reducingthe time and therefore cost of fitting the rails 20 to the windscreen.Further time and cost savings can then be expected when it comes tofitting the frame assembly 16 to the rails 20, as the elimination ofinaccuracies in spacing between the rails 20 will ensure that the frames16 consistently and accurately fit into position about the rails 20. Itwill also be apparent that any other fixing elements may be employed toallow the module assembly 12 to be secured against the vehiclewindscreen.

On the cabin facing side of the accessory module assembly 12, there isprovided an outer casing 24 surrounding the frame assembly 16 with asupport bracket 26 projecting from the frame assembly 16, through theouter casing 24, to which the mirror assembly 14 is connected,preferably by a ball and socket joint or the like. As the rails 20 areall recessed inwardly of the frame assembly 16, and with the outercasing 24 in place, the accessory module assembly 12 is given a“floating” appearance from the vehicle interior. For ease ofinstallation, the outer casing 24 is preferably provided in two parts,as illustrated in FIG. 4, allowing the two parts to be quickly andeasily installed/removed on the module assembly 12. Any suitable meansmay be provided to secure the two parts together, in addition tosecuring the outer casing 24 to the module assembly 12.

Optionally, accessory module assembly 12 may be a stand-alone moduleassembly that is separate and distinct from the interior rearview mirrorof the vehicle. If so, it may be desirable to include a mirror mountingbutton as part of accessory module assembly 12 so that an interiormirror assembly can be attached thereto in a “button-on-button”attachment manner such as is disclosed in the likes of U.S. Pat. No.6,968,736; U.S. Pat. No. patent 6,824,281; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268(the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by referenceherein). In this regard, inclusion of a rain sensor (whether contactingor non-contacting such as a capacitive rain sensor being developed byPreh-Werke GmbH & Co. KG of Bad Neustadt, Germany) is contemplated.

Turning then to the interior of the accessory module assembly 12, and asmentioned above, a plurality of accessories or electronic components arehoused therein, for performing various functions to and within thevehicle to improve the safety and/or comfort for the vehicle occupants.In the preferred embodiment illustrated, these accessories comprise acamera 28, a rain sensor assembly 30, a windscreen temperature sensorassembly 32, a closing velocity (CV) sensor assembly 34, and a compass36, the configuration and operation of each of which is described indetail below. As will also be described hereinafter, the frame assembly16 defines a site in the form of an enclosure 29 for the camera 28, asite in the form of a cradle 31 for the rain sensor assembly 30, a sitein the form of a sleeve 33 for the temperature sensor assembly 32, and asite in the form of an opening 35 for the CV sensor assembly 34. Compass36 preferably includes a compass sensor, such as a magneto-responsivesensor such as a magneto-resistive sensor, a magneto-capacitive sensor,a magneto-inductive sensor, a Hall effect sensor, or a flux gate sensorand/or a compass display, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,802,727, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference or in U.S.provisional application, Ser. No. 60/636,931, filed Dec. 17, 2004(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1196), which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

All of the above accessories, except the compass 36, require eitherdirect contact with the vehicle windscreen, or the ability tocommunicate, through the windscreen, with the exterior of the vehicle,for reasons set out hereinafter. Thus although the cover assembly 18masks the internal workings of the accessory module assembly 12 from theexterior of the vehicle, the cover assembly 18 is nevertheless providedwith a camera aperture 38 and associated channel 40, a rain sensoraperture 42, a windscreen temperature sensor aperture 44, a transmitteraperture 46 and associated channel 48, and a receiver aperture 50 andassociated channel 52. These apertures in the cover assembly 18 allowthe respective components to communicate with and/or through thewindscreen.

Turning firstly to the camera 28, and referring to FIG. 5, a pair oftabs 54 are provided, one on either side of the camera 28, to facilitateconnection of the camera 28 to the frame assembly 16. In the preferredembodiment illustrated, the site for the camera 28, in addition to theopening 29, comprises a pair of abutments 56 located on the frameassembly 16, to which abutments 56 the tabs 54 are secured by anysuitable means, for example screws or the like. When mounted asillustrated, the line of vision of the camera 28 is directed through thecamera aperture 38 in the cover assembly 18, along the correspondingchannel 40, and in use out through the windscreen of the vehicle. Thecamera 28 may then be employed as part of a collision avoidance systemfor the vehicle, by focusing the camera a suitable distance beyond thebonnet of the vehicle, with feedback from the camera then being employedto generate warning signals, preferably audio and/or visual warningsignals, if a collision seems imminent, or to actively intervene, forexample by lightly applying the brakes of the vehicle, in an attempt toavoid any such collision. Such a collision avoidance system in isolationis known, for example as produced by Delphi Automotive Systems of Troy,Mich., the United States.

Although in the embodiment illustrated the camera 28 is affixed to theframe assembly 16 via the tabs 54 and corresponding abutments 56, anyother suitable mounting means may be employed. For example it isenvisaged that connecting means (not shown) could be employed whichprovide the simultaneous mechanical and electrical connection of thecamera 28 to the frame assembly 16. The same arrangement could beemployed for the rain sensor assembly 30, window temperature sensorassembly 32 and the closing velocity sensor assembly 34. Such connectingmeans could for example employ magnetic elements to achieve both themechanical and electrical connection of one or more of the accessoriesinto the frame assembly 16. Such an arrangement is particularlyadvantageous where the accessory or associated connection point is in anawkward or out of sight location.

When the module assembly 12 is fitted to a vehicle, it is necessary toconduct a final alignment of the camera 28 relative to the exterior ofthe vehicle, in particular the front of the bonnet. This final alignmentis however undertaken in a known manner using dedicated software, whichdoes not therefore require the physical adjustment of the camera 28within the module assembly 12. However, this final software effectedalignment is capable of achieving only a small range of adjustment inthe x, y and z directions. For this reason, it is desirable that theposition of the camera 28 can be physically adjusted within the frameassembly 16. This adjustment is preferably achieved at the point ofmounting the camera 28 to the frame assembly 16, and in the embodimentillustrated, via the tabs 54 and corresponding abutments 56, which maybe suitably modified, although not illustrated, to allow the simple x, yand z axes adjustment of the camera 28 relative to the frame assembly16. Alternatively, the adjustment may take the form of calibrating thecamera 28 to the frame assembly 16 by, for example, the addition orremoval of material such as shims or similar spacers (not shown) such asto achieve a combined tolerance for the camera 28 and frame assembly 16.It will of course be understood that any other suitable or equivalentarrangement could be employed to achieve this desired result. It willalso be appreciated that similar provisions could be employed for any ofthe other accessories within the system 10.

Turning then to the rain sensor assembly 30, the frame assembly 16 isprovided with the cradle 31 for receiving and retaining the rain sensorassembly 30. In order to function correctly, the rain sensor assembly 30must be urged, in use, against the vehicle windscreen with significantforce. Thus in use the rain sensor assembly 30 is pressed through therain sensor aperture 42 in the cover assembly 18. As no adhesive or thelike is to be utilised in securing the rain sensor assembly 30 to thewindscreen, the force to be applied to the rain sensor assembly 30 mustthus be applied by the frame assembly 16, via the cradle 31. For thisreason it is preferable that the frame assembly 16, and therefore thecradle 31, is formed from a substantially rigid material, for example ametal, and in particular die-cast aluminium or an alloy thereof. Theframe assembly 16 can then be mounted against the windscreen, therigidity thereof ensuring that the frame assembly 16 is capable ofapplying, and maintaining, a suitable force to the rain sensor assembly30 in order to urge same against the windscreen.

The windscreen temperature sensor assembly 32 is mounted within thesleeve 33 formed integrally with the frame assembly 16, with the freeend of the windscreen temperature sensor assembly 32 projecting throughthe windscreen temperature sensor aperture 44 to contact and be urgedagainst the interior surface of the vehicle windscreen. In this way, andas described in our co-pending International Patent Application No.PCT/EP2005/010071 (the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedby reference herein), the temperature sensor assembly 32 can be used incombination with additional sensor assemblies (not shown) to predictinternal misting of the vehicle windshield, and take active steps toprevent such an occurrence, for example by activating an airconditioning system (not shown) of the vehicle. The temperature sensorassembly 32 may be spring biased within the sleeve 33, in order toensure that an intimate thermally conductive contact is made between thetemperature sensor assembly 32 and the windscreen.

The preferred closing velocity (CV) sensor assembly 34 utilises a LIDAR(light detection and ranging) collision-avoidance detector whichoperates on a similar principle as radar. Basically, the CV sensorassembly 34 emits light, through the transmitter aperture 46 andassociated channel 48, through the vehicle windscreen, and forwardly ofthe vehicle. The transmitted light will then be reflected by a leadingvehicle if within a certain range, the reflected light being received bythe CV sensor assembly 34, via the receiver aperture 50 and associatedchannel 52. The CV sensor assembly 34 can then determine the velocityand range of a leading vehicle, and again take preventative measures toavoid a collision. Again this type of system is already in existence inisolation, for example as manufactured by Continental Temick. To improvethe performance/accuracy of the CV sensor assembly 34, it is desirableto substantially eliminate stray or background light being reflectedonto the CV sensor 34 from the walls of the channel 52, as this may leadto false or inaccurate readings. It is therefore preferable that thewalls of the channel 52 are coated or covered with a light absorbinglayer or film, which may be in the form of a paint, fabric, or any othersuitable coating.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the CV sensor assembly 34 isprovided prefixed in a custom moulded housing 58 which can then quicklyand easily be located and secured within the opening 35 in the frameassembly 16. In order to secure the housing 58 relative to the frameassembly 16, the housing 58 is provided with a plurality of tabs 60,with the cover assembly 18 comprising a mounting member in the form ofcorresponding slots 62 for receiving the tabs 60. The housing 58,containing the CV sensor assembly 34, can then quickly and easily beclipped onto the underside of the cover assembly 18, ensuring accuratealignment of the CV sensor assembly 34 with the transmitting andreceiving apertures 46, 50. Once the cover assembly 18 is mounted ontothe frame assembly 16, the housing 58, and therefore the CV sensorassembly 34, are positioned within the dedicated opening 35 in the frameassembly 16. It will of course be appreciated that any other suitablearrangement may be employed in order to secure the housing 58 relativeto the frame assembly 16. For example, the frame assembly 16 could beprovided with means for receiving the tabs 60.

The compass 36, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, is provided ona printed circuit board (PCB) mounted on the support bracket 26, whichthus acts as the site for the compass 36. It will of course beappreciated that the compass 36 could be located in any other suitableposition within the accessory module assembly 12. The outer casing 24 isthen provided with a window 37 formed therein, through which window 37the compass 36 is visible from an interior of the vehicle. The window 37could be enlarged to reveal a display from, or associated with, one ormore additional accessories (not shown), for example an environmentalcontrol system (not shown) including, for example, a cabin temperaturesensor assembly, a humidity sensor assembly, an exterior temperaturesensor assembly, a petrol gauge, or any other useful display. The system10 could also be adapted such that said enlarged display (not shown)could be provided as a separate add on module or component (not shown)which may be clipped or otherwise secured to the module assembly 12,preferably at or adjacent the site of the window 37, in order to beclearly visible to a vehicle occupant, above the mirror assembly 14.

In order to reduce the amount of wiring between a vehicle and theaccessory module system 10, an electrical terminal 64 is provided withinthe accessory module assembly 12, and in the embodiment illustrated isadjacent the rain sensor assembly 30. The terminal 64 is connected tothe vehicle via a single power and/or control cable, namely a firstpower/control input 66 which passes through the outer casing 24 asillustrated in FIG. 4, across the frame assembly 16, for connection withthe terminal 64. Extending out of the terminal 64 is a firstpower/control outlet 68 which connects to the CV sensor assembly 34, asecond power/control outlet 70 which connects to the rain sensorassembly 30, and a third power/control outlet 72 which extends into themirror assembly 14, in order to power/control any electronic componentscontained therein. Thus in this way a plurality of the accessoriescontained within the accessory module system 10 may bepowered/controlled from a single power/control input 66 provided to theaccessory module assembly 12, thereby greatly reducing the wiringrequirements between a vehicle and the accessory module system 10.

In the embodiment illustrated, the camera 28 employed utilisescomplimentary metal oxide semi-conductor (CMOS) circuitry andprocessing, and as a result requires a separate power/control supply tothe remaining accessories within the accessory module system 10. Thus inthe embodiment illustrated a second power/control input 74 is providedbetween the vehicle and the accessory module assembly 12, which againpasses through the outer casing 24, and terminates in a plug 76. Thecamera 28 is provided with a complimentary plug 78 which connects to theplug 76 in order to provide power/control to the camera 28. Thus theaccessory module system 10 requires only two wiring inputs in order tocontrol a plurality of accessories. If the camera 28 were omitted fromthe accessory module system 10, only a single electrical connectionwould be required between the vehicle and the accessory module system10. It will also be apparent that the terminal 64 could be modified tosupply power/control to more than the three accessories provided in thepreferred embodiment illustrated.

Indeed as the accessory module system 10, and in particular theaccessory module assembly 12, is designed to be modular in nature,allowing the inclusion or omission of one or more of the accessoriestherein, without affecting the operation of the remaining accessories,the primary function of the terminal 64 is to allow a single incomingwiring configuration to be utilised with the accessory module system 10,regardless of the internal configuration of accessories contained withinthe accessory module assembly 12. If more or less accessories areutilised than in the preferred embodiment illustrated, the firstpower/control outlet 68, second outlet 70 and third outlet 72, whichtogether form an internal wiring harness for the accessory moduleassembly 12, need simply be replaced with a suitably modified version ofsame in order to accommodate the array of accessories to be utilised.

Communication between the accessories within the accessory moduleassembly 12 and the vehicle systems to be controlled by same, inaddition to communication between the accessories within the accessorymodule assembly 12 and the mirror assembly 14, may take a number offorms, for example using Bluetooth® technology, infrared (IR), orradiofrequency (RF) applications. Such wireless communication willsimplify the wiring harness to be used within and to the accessorymodule system 10, and therefore also give greater flexibility to thesystem 10 in terms of the interchangability of accessories that can beemployed within the system 10. Hard wiring will still have to beemployed to power the various accessories. However, the various wirescould be replaced with a network of electrically conductive stripsrouted internally of the module assembly 12, with each branch or strip(not shown) being contacted by the respective accessory or a terminalthereof upon the location of the accessory within the frame assembly 16.

If the number of accessories contained within the accessory moduleassembly 12 is to be varied, it is preferable to provide a suitablymodified cover assembly (not shown) to replace the cover assembly 18,which modified cover assembly can then be provided with the correctarrangement of apertures therein to correspond to the accessories beingutilised. It will therefore be appreciated that the accessory modulesystem 10 is modular in form and function.

As detailed above, due to the requirement for the rain sensor assembly30 and the temperature sensor assembly 32 to be pressed against thewindscreen with significant force, the frame assembly 16 is preferablyformed from a substantially rigid material such as a metal or the like.For this reason, and as a result of manufacturing tolerances both inproducing the accessory module system 10, and in producing the vehiclewindscreen, the shape of the frame assembly 16 is unlikely to exactlymatch that of the curved windscreen of the vehicle, which may thereforeresult in slight gaps being present between the frame assembly 16 andthe windscreen, negatively affecting the aesthetics of the accessorymodule system 10 when fitted. In addition, such gaps may allow theingress of dirt/dust or the like contaminants between the windscreen andthe module assembly 12, which may then obscure the vision of one or moreof the accessories. For this reason, the cover assembly 18 is preferablyformed from a resiliently deformable material, and is thus capable ofdeforming to conform substantially precisely to the shape of thewindscreen, regardless of any slight deviations in dimensions due tomanufacturing tolerances. Thus from the exterior of the vehicle thecover assembly 18 will provide the appearance of forming a perfect matchbetween the accessory module assembly 12 and the vehicle windscreen,which should therefore prevent any dirt/dust from migrating between thewindscreen and the module assembly 12. Although not illustrated in thepreferred embodiment, it is also envisaged that the cover assembly 18 beresiliently or spring-mounted to the frame assembly 16, in order, inuse, to actively urge the cover assembly 18 against the windscreen, inorder to fully conform to the shape thereof.

The system 10 also preferably comprises the use of a frit (not shown) onthe vehicle windscreen (not shown), at the position at which theaccessory module assembly 12 is mounted. The frit should then beprovided with clear areas corresponding in position and shape to theapertures and/or channels formed in the cover assembly 18.

Due to the position of the accessory module assembly 12 on thewindscreen or other window of a vehicle, the accessory module assembly12 will be subjected, in use, to significant incident radiation, inparticular solar radiation, which could result in heating of theaccessory module assembly 12, possibly adversely affecting theaccessories contained therein. For this reason, the cover assembly 18preferably comprises a heat deflecting material, more preferably amaterial having a heat deflection temperature of at least 75° C., morepreferably at least 85° C., and most preferably at least 105° C.

In certain environmental conditions, it is possible that the area ofwindscreen effectively enclosed by the module assembly 12, and inparticular by the various apertures in the cover assembly 18, may becomemisted/fogged, or otherwise obscured, thereby negatively affecting theperformance of the various accessories in the system 10, which generallyrequire a clear field of vision through the windscreen in order toperform effectively. In order to prevent such an occurrence, andreferring to FIG. 6, the module assembly 12 is preferably provided witha first fluid impermeable gasket 80 surrounding the camera aperture 38and associated channel 40, and a second fluid impermeable gasket 82surrounding the transmitter aperture 46 and associated channel 48 andthe receiver aperture 50 and associated channel 52. These gaskets 80, 82form, in use, a seal with the windscreen to prevent the ingress ofmoisture and/or dirt into the spaces defined by the above mentionedchannels 40, 48, 52, in order to prevent the formation/accumulation ofmist/fog or dirt therein.

As a further measure, it is proposed that a respective vent or port (notshown) be provided, communicating with the otherwise sealed space orcavity defined by the gaskets 80, 82 and respective channels 40, 48, 52,said ports having a gas permeable but fluid impermeable barrier ormembrane, in order to allow air into and out of the spaces, but toprevent moisture from reaching said spaces. Such a breathable membranecould be formed from Goretex® or the like.

In the absence of such a membrane, the air being channelled through therespective port could be directed over a relatively cool surface, forexample the metal frame assembly 16, which would then cause asignificant portion of any water vapour in the air to condense out ontothe relatively cool surface, thus reducing or eliminating the occurrenceof misting/fogging in said spaces. Alternatively the air may bechannelled through a suitably designed baffle (not shown) which isadapted to permit the passage of heated air, but not any moisturecontained therein, to reach the otherwise sealed spaces defined by thegaskets 80, 82. This ability to heat or otherwise control theenvironmental conditions within these spaces is particularly importantwhen a vehicle is operating in cold climates, where frost may form onthe outer surface of the vehicle windscreen. In order for the variousaccessories, in particular the camera 28 and CV sensor assembly 34, tohave a clear view through the windscreen in order to operate correctly,the frost must first be cleared from the windscreen. This is normallyachieved using heated air blown up and along the interior surface of thewindscreen form the vehicles air conditioning system, which heats thewindscreen through to the outer surface, thereby dispersing or meltingthe frost. However as a result of the gaskets 80, 82, this heated aircannot reach the areas of the windscreen through which the camera 28 andCV sensor assembly 34 look, and these areas must therefore be heatedfrom within the module assembly 12 as described above.

It will of course be appreciated that any other measure may be taken toreduce or eliminate misting, fogging or frost on that portion of thewindscreen against which the module assembly 12 is seated.

The accessory module assembly 12 can house a large array of sensorassemblies and other components, other than those describe in detailabove, for example a cabin temperature sensor assembly, a cabin humiditysensor assembly, an ambient light and a glare sensor assembly for anelectrochromic (EC) mirror cell, a phone system, petrol gauge display,and any other desired components or accessories. Many of theseaccessories were previously housed with a vehicles rearview mirror, andthus the provision of the accessory module assembly 12 can generate arelatively large amount of free space within the vehicles rearviewmirror assembly. As a result, the mirror assembly 14 could besignificantly reduced in size, in particular in depth or thickness, andespecially where an EC cell is employed, thereby providing anaesthetically pleasing appearance. Alternatively or simultaneously, thisadditional space may be used to apply one or more digital displays tothe rear of the EC cell, which can then display information, through theEC cell, to a driver or passenger of the vehicle.

It will thus be appreciated that the accessory module system 10 of thepresent invention provides a convenient location in which to house alarge array of accessories and/or sensors or the like, and which ismodular in terms of the combination of said accessories which may behoused within same.

The accessory module or system 10 of the present invention may utilizeaspects of other accessory modules or windshield electronics modules orthe like, such as modules of the types described in U.S. pat.application Ser. No. 10/958,087, filed Oct. 4, 2004 by Schofield et al.for VEHICLE ACCESSORY MODULE (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1175); Ser. No.10/456,599, filed Jun. 6, 2003 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEWMIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1076); and/or Ser.No. 11/201,661, filed Aug. 11, 2005 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1233),and/or U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,824,281; 6,690,268; 6,250,148; 6,341,523;6,593,565; 6,428,172; 6,501,387; 6,329,925; and 6,326,613, and/or in PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. etal. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE (Attorney Docket DON01FP-1123(PCT)), and/or Ireland pat. applications, Ser.

No. S2004/0614, filed Sep. 15, 2004 (Attorney Docket P72723IE00); Ser.No.

S2004/0838, filed Dec. 14, 2004 (Attorney Docket P73992IE00); and Ser.No. S2004/0840, filed Dec. 15, 2004 (Attorney Docket P73923IE00), whichare all hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The interior rearview mirror assembly 14 of the accessory module system10 may include an electro-optic reflective element or a prismaticreflective element. For example, the reflective element may comprise anelectro-optic or electrochromic reflective element assembly or cell, andthe electrochromic reflective element assembly of the electrochromicmirror assembly may utilize the principles disclosed in commonlyassigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268; 5,140,455; 5,151,816; 6,178,034;6,154,306; 6,002,544; 5,567,360; 5,525,264; 5,610,756; 5,406,414;5,253,109; 5,076,673; 5,073,012; 5,117,346; 5,724,187; 5,668,663;5,910,854; 5,142,407; 5,142,406; 5,442,478; and/or 4,712,879, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference, and/or as disclosed in thefollowing publications: N. R. Lynam, “Electrochromic AutomotiveDay/Night Mirrors”, SAE Technical Paper Series 870636 (1987); N. R.Lynam, “Smart Windows for Automobiles”, SAE Technical Paper Series900419 (1990); N. R. Lynam and A. Agrawal, “Automotive Applications ofChromogenic Materials”, Large Area Chromogenics: Materials and Devicesfor Transmittance Control, C. M. Lampert and C. G. Granquist, EDS.,Optical Engineering Press, Wash. (1990), which are hereby incorporatedby reference herein; and/or as described in U.S. pat. application, Ser.No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-962), whichis hereby incorporated herein by reference. Optionally, theelectrochromic circuitry and/or a glare sensor (such as a rearwardfacing glare sensor that receives light from rearward of the mirrorassembly and vehicle through a port or opening along the casing and/orbezel portion and/or reflective element of the mirror assembly) andcircuitry and/or an ambient light sensor and circuitry may be providedon one or more circuit boards of the mirror assembly.

The mirror assembly 14 may include one or more other displays, such asthe types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,240 and/or 6,329,925, whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference, and/or display-on-demandtransflective type displays, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,690,268; 5,668,663 and/or 5,724,187, and/or in U.S. patentapplications Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al.for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM (Attorney Docket DON01 P-962); Ser. No.10/528,269, filed Mar. 17, 2005 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1109); Ser. No.10/533,762, filed May 4, 2005 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1116); Ser. No.10/538,724, filed Jun. 13, 2005 by Hutzel et al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEMFOR VEHICLE (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1123);

Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004 by McCabe et al. forELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1193); and/or Ser.No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005 by Karner et al. (Attorney DocketDON01 P-1236); PCT Application No. PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 9, 2003 byDonnelly Corp. et al. for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY (AttorneyDocket DON01 FP-1109(PCT)); PCT Application No. PCT/US03/35381, filedNov. 5, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for ELECTRO-OPTIC REFLECTIVEELEMENT ASSEMBLY (Attorney Docket DON01 FP-1116(PCT)); and/or PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/406 11, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp.et al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE (Attorney Docket DON01FP-1123(PCT)), which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Optionally, the mirror assembly 14 may comprise a prismatic mirrorassembly, such as a prismatic mirror assembly utilizing aspectsdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,318,870; 6,598,980; 5,327,288; 4,948,242;4,826,289; 4,436,371; and 4,435,042; and PCT Application No.PCT/US04/015424, filed May 18, 2004 by Donnelly Corporation et al. forMIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE (Attorney Docket DON01 FP-1150(PCT)); andU.S. pat. application, Ser. No. 10/933,842, filed Sep. 3, 2004 (AttorneyDocket DON01 P-1166), which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.Optionally, the prismatic reflective element may comprise a conventionalprismatic reflective element or prism, or may comprise a prismaticreflective element of the types described in PCT Application No.PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for MIRRORREFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY (Attorney Docket DON01 FP-1109(PCT)); U.S.pat. applications, Ser. No. 10/709,434, filed May 5, 2004 by Lynam forMIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1152); Ser. No.10/933,842, filed Sep. 3, 2004 by Kulas et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEWMIRROR ASSEMBLY (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1166); Ser. No. 11/021,065,filed Dec. 23, 2004 by McCabe et al. for ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1193); Ser. No. 10/528,269, filed Mar. 17, 2005(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1109); and/or Ser. No. 10/993,302, filed Nov.19, 2004 by Lynam for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT FOR A VEHICLE (AttorneyDocket DON01 P-1186), and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2004/015424,filed May 18, 2004 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FORVEHICLE (Attorney Docket DON01 FP-1150(PCT)), which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference, without affecting the scope of thepresent invention. A variety of mirror accessories and constructions areknown in the art, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,555,136;5,582,383; 5,680,263; 5,984,482; 6,227,675; 6,229,319; and 6,315,421(the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by referenceherein), that can benefit from the present invention. Optionally, themirror assembly 14 may comprise an electro-optic or electrochromicreflective element assembly, as discussed below.

Optionally, the accessory module 12 and/or mirror assembly 14 and/oraccessory module system 10 may include one or more displays, such as forthe accessories or circuitry described herein. The displays may besimilar to those described above, or may be of types disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,530,240 and/or 6,329,925, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference, or may be display-on-demand or transflective typedisplays or other displays, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,690,268; 5,668,663 and/or 5,724,187, and/or in U.S. pat.applications, Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al.for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM (Attorney Docket DON01 P-962); Ser. No.11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004 by McCabe et al. for ELECTRO-OPTICMIRROR CELL (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1193); Ser. No. 11/226,628, filedSep. 14, 2005 by Karner et al. (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1236); Ser. No.10/993,302, filed Nov. 19, 2004 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1186); and/orSer. No. ______, filed Nov. 22, 2005 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1245),and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/29776, filed Sep. 9, 2003 byDonnelly Corp. et al. for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY (AttorneyDocket DON01 FP-1109(PCT)); and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/35381,filed Nov. 5, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for ELECTRO-OPTIC REFLECTIVEELEMENT ASSEMBLY (Attorney Docket DON01 FP-1116(PCT)); and/or U.S.provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/630,061, filed Nov. 22, 2004 byLynam et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH VIDEO DISPLAY (Attorney DocketDON01 P-1189); Ser. No. 60/667,048, filed Mar. 31, 2005 by Lynam et al.for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH VIDEO DISPLAY (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1212);Ser. No. 60/629,926, filed Nov. 22, 2004 by McCabe et al. for METHOD OFMANUFACTURING ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1190);Ser. No. 60/531,838, filed Dec. 23, 2003 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1132);Ser. No. 60/553,842, filed Mar. 17, 2004 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1143);Ser. No. 60/563,342, filed Apr. 19, 2004 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1153);Ser. No. 60/681,250, filed May 16,2005 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1221);Ser. No. 60/690,400, filed Jun. 14, 2005 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1225);Ser. No. 60/695,149, filed Jun. 29, 2005 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1227);and/or Ser. No. 60/717,093, filed Sep. 14, 2005 by Lynam (AttorneyDocket DON01 P-1240); Ser. No. 60/730,334, filed Oct. 26, 2005 by Baurfor VEHICLE MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH INDICIA AT REFLECTIVE ELEMENT (AttorneyDocket DON01 P-1250); and/or Ser. No. 60/732,245, filed Nov. 1, 2005(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1251), and/or PCT Application No.PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. forACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE (Attorney Docket DON01 FP-1123(PCT)), whichare all hereby incorporated herein by reference, or may include orincorporate video displays or the like, such as the types described inPCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by DonnellyCorp. et al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE (Attorney Docket DON01FP-1123(PCT)), U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Nov. 22,2005 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1245), and/or U.S. provisionalapplications, Ser. No. 60/630,061, filed Nov. 22, 2004 by Lynam et al.for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH VIDEO DISPLAY (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1189);and Ser. No. 60/667,048, filed Mar. 31, 2005 by Lynam et al. for MIRRORASSEMBLY WITH VIDEO DISPLAY (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1212), which arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

Optionally, the display and inputs may be associated with variousaccessories or systems, such as, for example, a tire pressure monitoringsystem or a passenger air bag status or a garage door opening system ora telematics system or any other accessory or system of the mirrorassembly or of the vehicle or of an accessory module or console of thevehicle, such as an accessory module or console of the types describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268; 6,672,744; 6,386,742; and 6,124,886, and/orU.S. pat. applications, Ser. No. 10/739,766, filed Dec. 18, 2003 byDeLine et al. for MODULAR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No.6,877,888 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1119); and/or Ser. No. 10/355,454,filed Jan. 31, 2003 by Schofield et al. for VEHICLE ACCESSORY MODULE,now U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,281 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1050), and/or PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/03012, filed Jan. 31, 2003 by DonnellyCorporation for VEHICLE ACCESSORY MODULE (Attorney Docket DON01FP-1050(PCT)), and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19,2003 by Donnelly Corporation for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE (AttorneyDocket DON01 FP-1123(PCT)), and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US04/15424,filed May 18, 2004 by Donnelly Corporation et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLYFOR VEHICLE (Attorney Docket DON01 FP-1150(PCT)), which are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

Optionally, the accessory module 12 and/or mirror assembly 14 maysupport one or more other accessories or features, such as one or moreelectrical or electronic devices or accessories. For example,illumination sources or lights, such as map reading lights or one ormore other lights or illumination sources, such as illumination sourcesof the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268; 5,938,321;5,813,745; 5,820,245; 5,673,994; 5,649,756; 5,178,448; 5,671,996;4,646,210; 4,733,336; 4,807,096; 6,042,253; 6,971,775; and/or 5,669,698,and/or U.S. pat. applications, Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002(Attorney Docket DON01 P-962); and/or Ser. No. 10/933,842, filed Sep. 3,2004 by Kulas et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY (AttorneyDocket DON01 P-1166), which are hereby incorporated herein by reference,may be included in the mirror assembly. The illumination sources and/orthe circuit board may be connected to one or more buttons or inputs foractivating and deactivating the illumination sources. Optionally, theaccessory module 12 and/or mirror assembly 14 may also or otherwiseinclude other accessories, such as microphones, such as analogmicrophones or digital microphones or the like, such as microphones ofthe types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,243,003; 6,278,377; and/or6,420,975, and/or in PCT Application No. PCT/US03/308877, filed Oct. 1,2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for MICROPHONE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE(Attorney Docket DON01 FP-1111(PCT)). Optionally, the accessory moduleand/or mirror assembly may also or otherwise include other accessories,such as a telematics system, speakers, antennas, including globalpositioning system (GPS) or cellular phone antennas, such as disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,552, a communication module, such as disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,798,688, a voice recorder, a blind spot detectionsystem, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,929,786 and/or 5,786,772,and/or U.S. pat. applications, Ser. No. 10/427,051, filed Apr. 30, 2003(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1075); and Ser. No. 10/209,173, filed Jul. 31,2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,882,287 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1016); and/orU.S. provisional application, Ser. No. 60/638,687, filed Dec. 23, 2004(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1195), transmitters and/or receivers, such asfor a garage door opener or a vehicle door unlocking system or the like(such as a remote keyless entry system), a digital network, such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575, a high/low headlamp controller,such as a camera-based headlamp control, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,796,094 and/or 5,715,093, a memory mirror system, such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,176, a hands-free phone attachment, animaging system or components or circuitry or display thereof, such as animaging and/or display system of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,690,268 and 6,847,487; and/or U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No.60/614,644, filed Sep. 30, 2004 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1177); Ser. No.60/618,686, filed Oct. 14, 2004 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1183); Ser. No.60/628,709, filed Nov. 17, 2004 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1188); Ser. No.60/644,903, filed Jan. 11, 2005 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1202); Ser. No.60/667,049, filed Mar. 31, 2005 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1213); and/orU.S. pat. applications, Ser. No. 11/105,757, filed Apr. 14, 2005(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1208); and/or Ser. No. 11/239,980, filed Sep.30, 2005 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1238), a slide out orextendable/retractable video device or module, such as described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Nov. 22, 2005 (Attorney DocketDON01 P-1245), U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/630,061, filedNov. 22,2004 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1189); and/or Ser. No. 60/667,048,filed Mar. 31, 2005 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1212); and/or PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 (Attorney DocketDON01 FP-1123(PCT)), a video device for internal cabin surveillance(such as for sleep detection or driver drowsiness detection or the like)and/or video telephone function, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,760,962 and/or 5,877,897, a remote keyless entry receiver, a seatoccupancy detector, a remote starter control, a yaw sensor, a clock, acarbon monoxide detector, status displays, such as displays that displaya status of a door of the vehicle, a transmission selection (4wd/2wd ortraction control (TCS) or the like), an antilock braking system, a roadcondition (that may warn the driver of icy road conditions) and/or thelike, a trip computer, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) receiver(such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,124,647; 6,294,989; 6,445,287;6,472,979; and/or 6,731,205; and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/232,324, filed Sep. 21, 2005 by O'Brien et al. for TIRE PRESSUREALERT SYSTEM (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1237); and/or U.S. provisionalapplication, Ser. No. 60/611,796, filed Sep. 21, 2004 (Attorney DocketDON01 P-1179)), and/or an ONSTAR® system and/or any other accessory orcircuitry or the like (with all of the above-referenced patents and PCTand U.S. patent applications being commonly assigned to DonnellyCorporation, and with the disclosures of the referenced patents andpatent applications being hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties).

Optionally, the accessory module 12 and/or mirror assembly 14 mayaccommodate other accessories or circuitry or the like as well, such asa rain sensor or imaging device or the like. For example, the accessorymodule and/or mirror assembly may include a mounting portion (such asthe types described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/226,628,filed Sep. 14, 2005 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1236); and/or U.S.provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/692,113, filed Jun. 20, 2005(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1224); Ser. No. 60/677,990, filed May 5, 2005(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1219); Ser. No. 60/653,787, filed Feb. 17, 2005(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1207); Ser. No. 60/642,227, filed Jan. 7, 2005(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1199); Ser. No. 60/638,250, filed Dec. 21, 2004(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1198); Ser. No. 60/624,091, filed Nov. 1, 2004(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1184), and Ser. No. 60/609,642, filed Sep. 14,2004 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1171), which are all hereby incorporatedherein by reference), and may include a rain sensor or the like and mayposition the rain sensor against the windshield, such as described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,250,148; 6,341,523; 6,516,664; 6,968,736; and6,824,281, and in U.S. pat. application Ser. No. 10/958,087, filed Oct.4, 2004 by Schofield et al. for VEHICLE ACCESSORY MODULE (AttorneyDocket DON01 P-1175), which are all hereby incorporated herein byreference. Optionally, the accessory module 12 and/or mirror assembly 14may include an imaging device, such as an imaging array sensor forimaging systems of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,757,109;6,717,610; 6,396,397; 6,201,642; 6,353,392; 6,313,454; 6,396,397;5,550,677; 5,670,935; 5,796,094; 5,877,897; 6,097,023; and 6,498,620,and U.S. pat. applications, Ser. No. 09/441,341, filed Nov. 16, 1999 bySchofield et al. for VEHICLE HEADLIGHT CONTROL USING IMAGING SENSOR(Attorney Docket DON01 P-770), and Ser. No. 10/427,051, filed Apr. 30,2003 by Pawlicki et al. for OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1075), which are all hereby incorporated hereinby reference. Optionally, the accessory module 12 and/or mirror assembly14 may include one or more user inputs for controlling oractivating/deactivating one or more electrical accessories or devices ofor associated with the mirror assembly. The accessory module 12 and/ormirror assembly 14 may comprise any type of switches or buttons, such astouch or proximity sensing switches, such as touch or proximity switchesof the types described in PCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec.19, 2003 by Donnelly Corporation for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE(Attorney Docket DON01 FP-1123(PCT)); and/or U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,001,486;6,310,611; 6,320,282; and 6,627,918; and/or U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1193);and/or U.S. pat. applications, Ser. No. 09/817,874, filed Mar. 26, 2001by Quist et al. for INTERACTIVE AUTOMOTIVE REARVISION SYSTEM (AttorneyDocket DON01 P-889); Ser. No. 10/956,749, filed Oct. 1, 2004 bySchofield et al. for MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY INCLUDINGELECTRONIC COMPONENT (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1173); Ser. No.10/933,842, filed Sep. 3, 2004 by Kulas et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEWMIRROR ASSEMBLY (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1166); Ser. No. 11/021,065,filed Dec. 23, 2004 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1193); and/or Ser. No.11/140,396, filed May 27, 2005 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1215); and/orU.S. provisional application, Ser. No. 60/563,342, filed Apr. 19, 2004by Bareman et al. for METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1153), which are hereby incorporated herein byreference, or the inputs may comprise other types of buttons orswitches, such as those described in U.S. pat. application, Ser. No.11/029,695, filed Jan. 5, 2005 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1192); and/orU.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/553,517, filed Mar. 16, 2004(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1145); Ser. No. 60/535,559, filed Jan. 9, 2004(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1134); Ser. No. 60/690,401, filed Jun. 14, 2005(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1226); and Ser. No. 60/719,482, filed Sep. 22,2005 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1241), which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference, or such as fabric-made position detectors, such asthose described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,504,531; 6,501,465; 6,492,980;6,452,479; 6,437,258; and 6,369,804, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference. Other types of switches or buttons or inputs orsensors may be incorporated to provide the desired function, withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention. Optionally, the userinputs or buttons may comprise user inputs for a garage door openingsystem, such as a vehicle based garage door opening system of the typesdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,396,408; 6,362,771; and 5,798,688, and/orU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/770,736, filed Feb. 3, 2004(Attorney Docket DON01 P-1135); and/or U.S. provisional applications,Ser. No. 60/502,806, filed Sep. 12, 2003 by Taylor et al. for GARAGEDOOR OPENING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1114); and Ser.No. 60/444,726, filed Feb. 4, 2003 by Baumgardner et al. for GARAGE DOOROPENING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1065), which arehereby incorporated herein by reference. The user inputs may also orotherwise function to activate and deactivate a display or function oraccessory, and/or may activate/deactivate and/or commence a calibrationof a compass system of the mirror assembly and/or vehicle. The compasssystem may include compass sensors and circuitry within the mirrorassembly or within a compass pod or module at or near or associated withthe mirror assembly. Optionally, the user inputs may also or otherwisecomprise user inputs for a telematics system of the vehicle, such as,for example, an ONSTAR® system as found in General Motors vehiclesand/or such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,862,594; 4,937,945;5,131,154; 5,255,442; 5,632,092; 5,798,688; 5,971,552; 5,924,212;6,243,003; 6,278,377; 6,420,975; 6,946,978; and 6,477,464; and/or6,678,614; and/or U.S. pat. applications, Ser. No. 10/456,599, filedJun. 6, 2003 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITHCOMPASS (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1076); Ser. No. 10/645,762, filed Aug.20, 2003 by Taylor et al. for VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH ATELEMATICS SYSTEM (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1103); and Ser. No.10/964,512, filed Oct. 13, 2004 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1174); and/orPCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by DonnellyCorporation et al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE (Attorney DocketDON01 FP-1123(PCT)), and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/308877, filedOct. 1, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. for MICROPHONE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE(Attorney Docket DON01 FP-1116(PCT)), which are all hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

1. An accessory module system for a vehicle window comprising: anaccessory module assembly comprising a frame assembly defining aplurality of sites for the modular location of accessories within theframe assembly; the accessory module assembly further comprising a coverassembly detachably connectable to the frame assembly.
 2. An accessorymodule system according to claim 1 in which the cover assembly isresiliently mounted to the frame assembly such that the cover assemblyis urged, in use, against the vehicle window.
 3. An accessory modulesystem for a vehicle window comprising: an accessory module assemblycomprising a substantially rigid frame assembly for the connection ofone or more accessories thereto; the accessory module assembly furthercomprising a resiliently deformable cover assembly detachablyconnectable to the frame assembly such that the cover assembly iscapable of deforming to conform to the shape of the vehicle window. 4.An accessory module system according to claim 3 in which the frameassembly defines a plurality of sites for the modular location of theaccessories within the frame assembly.
 5. An accessory module systemaccording to claim 4 in which at least one of the sites comprises aconnector assembly configured to provide the simultaneous mechanical andelectrical connection of a corresponding accessory to the accessorymodule assembly.
 6. An accessory module system according to claim 4comprising an electrical terminal having a single power and/or controlinput and a plurality of power and/or control outputs.
 7. An accessorymodule system according to claim 4 in which at least one of the sitescomprises a cradle for receiving and supporting one of the accessoriestherein.
 8. An accessory module system according to claim 3 comprising amirror assembly detachably connectable to the accessory module assembly.9. An accessory module system according to claim 8 in which the mirrorassembly is in electrical communication with the accessory moduleassembly.
 10. An accessory module system according to claim 3 in whichthe cover assembly comprises at least one aperture to enable acorresponding accessory to communicate with and/or through the vehiclewindow.
 11. An accessory module system according to claim 3 comprisingan attachment member for affixing to the vehicle window, the frameassembly comprising a corresponding mounting portion configured forreleasable engagement with and/or about the attachment member.
 12. Anaccessory module system according to claim 11 in which the attachmentmember comprises two or more discrete fixing elements.
 13. An accessorymodule system according to claim 10 comprising a vehicle windowcomprising a frit having at least one aperture correspondingsubstantially in shape and orientation to the at least one aperture inthe cover assembly.
 14. An accessory module system according to claim 3comprising ventilation means to facilitate cooling of the accessorymodule assembly.
 15. An accessory module system according to claim 14 inwhich the ventilation means comprises a plurality of ventilationopenings in the accessory module assembly.
 16. An accessory modulesystem according to claim 3 in which the cover assembly comprises amaterial having a heat deflection temperature of at least 75° C.
 17. Anaccessory module system according to claim 3 comprising a plurality ofaccessories.
 18. An accessory module system according to claim 17 inwhich the accessories comprise one or more of a closing velocity sensorassembly, a rain sensor assembly, a window temperature sensor assembly,a camera assembly, a compass assembly, a communications assembly, alight sensor assembly, a humidity sensor assembly, and a displayassembly.
 19. An accessory module system according to claim 17 in whichat least one of the accessories comprises a closing velocity sensorassembly and in which the closing velocity sensor assembly comprises aLIDAR sensor assembly.
 20. An accessory module system according to claim4 in which at least one of the sites comprises means for adjusting theposition of an accessory locatable within the site.
 21. An accessorymodule system according to claim 3 in which the cover assembly comprisesa material having a heat deflection temperature of at least 85° C. 22.An accessory module system according to claim 3 in which the coverassembly comprises a material having a heat deflection temperature of atleast 105° C.
 23. An accessory module system according to claim 1 inwhich at least one of the sites comprises means for adjusting theposition of an accessory locatable within the site.
 24. An accessorymodule system according to claim 1 in which at least one of the sitescomprises a connector assembly configured to provide the simultaneousmechanical and electrical connection of a corresponding accessory to theaccessory module assembly.
 25. An accessory module system according toclaim 1 comprising an electrical terminal having a single power and/orcontrol input and a plurality of power and/or control outputs.
 26. Anaccessory module system according to claim 1 in which at least one ofthe sites comprises a cradle for receiving and supporting one of theaccessories therein.
 27. An accessory module system according to claim 1comprising a mirror assembly detachably connectable to the accessorymodule assembly.
 28. An accessory module system according to claim 27 inwhich the mirror assembly is in electrical communication with theaccessory module assembly.
 29. An accessory module system according toclaim 1 in which the cover assembly comprises at least one aperture toenable a corresponding accessory to communicate with and/or through thevehicle window.
 30. An accessory module system according to claim 29comprising a vehicle window comprising a frit having at least oneaperture corresponding substantially in shape and orientation to the atleast one aperture in the cover assembly.
 31. An accessory module systemaccording to claim 1 comprising an attachment member for affixing to thevehicle window, the frame assembly comprising a corresponding mountingportion configured for releasable engagement with and/or about theattachment member.
 32. An accessory module system according to claim 31in which the attachment member comprises two or more discrete fixingelements.
 33. An accessory module system according to claim 1 comprisingventilation means to facilitate cooling of the accessory moduleassembly.
 34. An accessory module system according to claim 33 in whichthe ventilation means comprises a plurality of ventilation openings inthe accessory module assembly.
 35. An accessory module system accordingto claim 1 in which the cover assembly comprises a material having aheat deflection temperature of at least 75° C.
 36. An accessory modulesystem according to claim 1 in which the cover assembly comprises amaterial having a heat deflection temperature of at least 85° C.
 37. Anaccessory module system according to claim 1 in which the cover assemblycomprises a material having a heat deflection temperature of at least105° C.
 38. An accessory module system according to claim 1 comprising aplurality of accessories.
 39. An accessory module system according toclaim 38 in which the accessories comprise one or more of a closingvelocity sensor assembly, a rain sensor assembly, a window temperaturesensor assembly, a camera assembly, a compass assembly, a communicationsassembly, a light sensor assembly, a humidity sensor assembly, and adisplay assembly.
 40. An accessory module system according to claim 38in which at least one of the accessories comprises a closing velocitysensor assembly and in which the closing velocity sensor assemblycomprises a LIDAR sensor assembly.